Testimonies of Doctors in Papua's Papua Electricity Lit 24 Hours

Testimonies of Doctors in Papua's Papua Electricity Lit 24 Hours

The hands of Doctor Marsia deftly pump aneroids, blood pressure gauges, on the patient's arm in the Ilaga District Health Center, Puncak District, Papua Province. Thanks to electricity, he is no longer having trouble providing health care measures for local residents.
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At the health center, he uses electricity for lighting in installing infusions, breathing aids, various medical equipment, to warm up newborns. The 30-year-old doctor felt happy, now the services provided can run optimally.
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"Before there was electricity we experienced a lot of difficulties, ranging from lighting to installing infusions, to handling oxygen if the patient was congested, then when the baby was born we also had difficulty warming up. After the electricity came in we could handle better and faster," said Marsia as reported by the official website of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, www.esdm.go.id
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Marsia hopes that electricity in the Puncak Regency is on for 24 hours as it is currently able to continue without interruption. "Electricity in the Regency of Puncak is now running 24 hours, without a hitch. The use of large machinery is no longer a barrier to continuing to provide services," said the doctor who has been serving in Ilaga for 3 years and began to fall in love with the Papuan culture.
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Marsia's happiness is also a longing antidote for Ilaga residents who can feel longer lighting. Eleven years the district has been living with friends with limited electricity supply.
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Their waiting finally ended since the presence of the Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) which was built by the Government and inaugurated by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif on December 20, 2019 ago.
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Late last year began a new story for children in rural Ilaga. The cold mountain air is no longer shrouded in darkness. The lights began to faithfully accompany the night routine. Previously, electricity in Ilaga only operated for less than 12 hours, relying on the work of diesel-powered generators. When the diesel runs out, blackouts become natural.
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Building Ilaga PLTMH is not an easy matter. Accessibility and social conditions become challenges. Since four years ago, the PLTMH which cost Rp. 99 billion has finally been able to operate with two power plants, each with a capacity of 350 kilo Watts.
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The geographical location surrounded by a series of Jayawijaya mountains makes Ilaga the region with the highest elevation and isolation in Indonesia. The only way in and out of Ilaga can only be reached by air travel for 40 minutes from Timika.
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The story of Marsia is a clear proof of the presence of the Government to equalize energy access to all parts of Indonesia, including remote areas such as Ilaga. Although it is not easy to pursue that dream, commitment to energy development can be achieved through optimization of local energy sources. Even the Government believes it can meet the target of the energy mix of New Renewable Energy plants by 23% in 2025.